santa barbara culture, art, news, etc..

We lucked out today and got a free pass to join the sailing trip put
on by the good folks at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to thank
their donors. The traditionally built ' Tall Ship' named 'The Spirit
of Dana Point' was built in a mans backyard in the mid 1970's, and is
a largely accurate replica of ships built during the 18th and 19th
centuries.

I haven't sailed since I was about 15, and have never known much about
it - aside from what I could gleam from watching Horatio Hornblower movies like a complete addict.

Being aboard the 'spirit' was an awe
inspiring experience - there is something to be said for being on a
giant wooden craft, being quietly propelled by breeze. The sound of jostling wooden pulleys and flapping canvas really make it hard to
resist squinting and pretending the Captain is wearing a wool cloak and an old-school black hat -
instead of the Patagonia parka. The crew - despite having not been tele-transported directly from the 1740's - was fast and knowledgeable, the weather was perfect (the
Vietnamese shrimp might have helped too) and we were grateful to be
soaking the cold sun, fresh air and amazing views of Santa Barbara
from the Channel.

Only problem is getting my land legs back.. Sleeping with all this residual brain-swaying is going to be a bitch.